MUNSTER | Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana, Northwest Indiana’s only professional performing arts theatre, will host exciting educational workshops for young theater enthusiasts. These workshops will not only provide instruction on acting and theatre, but will help students build their public speaking skills and confidence by using more nontraditional, artistic teaching methods. Various fall workshops for 2013 will run beginning early October through late November.

Workshops include:

Acting Out Calling all aspiring actors! This popular acting class will teach you what it takes to become an actor. You will learn basic theatre terminology, what goes into a production and how to build scenes and characters through theatre games, script work, voice and movement. You will also explore the audition process and how you can do your best when you try out. A great acting class for building skills and confidence.

For students ages 5-7, instructed by Patty Bird. Runs every Tuesday beginning October 8th – November 26th from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

For students ages 8-13, instructed by Charlie Scanlon. Runs every Tuesday beginning October 8th – November 26th from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Acting Out Advanced Students expand their skills and explore more thoroughly into character development and scrip analysis, with emphasis on creating acting objectives and discovering scenes through character relationships. New and returning students will benefit from this class. (Prerequisite: Acting Out)

For students ages 5-7, instructed by Patty Bird. Runs every Tuesday beginning October 8th – November 26th from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

For students ages 8-13, instructed by Charlie Scanlon. Runs every Tuesday beginning October 8th – November 26th from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Shakescenes This workshop is perfect for first-time performers and seasoned Shakespeareans alike. Through a series of acting, voice, text and movement exercises, we will dive into scenes and monologues from some of Shakespeare’s greatest comedies. Have a blast playing a variety of characters and gaining classical acting skills.

For students ages 7-18, instructed by Patty Bird. Runs every Tuesday beginning October 8th – November 26th from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

There is limited space available for all workshops, so early registration is recommended. Tuition is $125 per student per class. For more information regarding these classes, contact Kimmy Lauer at 219.836.9073 or visit www.TheatreAtTheCenter.com.

NEW THIS SEASON, acting scholarships are now available for students interested in participating in Theatre at the Center’s Education through Theatre program. Downloadable application forms and scholarship information is available at www.TheatreAtTheCenter.com.

Patty Bird is an accomplished actress, instructor and director. She received her B.A. in Theatre/Television Arts, concentrating in Elementary Education and English. Patty has been with Theatre at the Center for over three years and has been teaching, acting and directing for over 16 years. She received a NIETF lead actress nomination for the following roles at Chicago Street Theatre: “Joan” in MURDER IN GREEN MEADOWS; “Beth” in A LIE OF THE MIND; “Poopay” in COMMUNICATING DOORS; and “May” in FOOL FOR LOVE at Dunes Summer Theatre. Her favorite directing credits include CURSE OF THE STARVING CLASS, FUDDY MEERS, JUNGALBOOK and GO, DOG. GO!.

Charlie Scanlon graduated from IUN with a B.A. in Theatre and is also a certified elementary teacher. While there, he was very active in the children’s theatre department, acting in several children’s shows and working behind the scenes in several others. He also taught children’s theatre workshops as a student at IUN. Charlie is very active in Northwest Indiana Theatre and is cofounder of the Grand Calumet Players, a local theatre company.

Founded in 1991, Theatre at the Center is a year-round professional theater at its home, The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana. Theatre at the Center is conveniently located off I-80/94, just 35 minutes from downtown Chicago.

For more information regarding the mainstage productions at Theatre at the Center, or to purchase tickets, call the Box Office at 219.836.3255 or Tickets.com at 800.511.1552. Group discounts, available for groups of 11 or more; and gift certificates, perfect for all special occasions are also available by calling the Box Office at 219.836.3255. For more information on Theatre at the Center, visit TheatreAtTheCenter.com.

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